Good Morning. As directed by the Board at Minute 31 of the July, 2018 meeting, below is the e-mail that will be sent to all SMs and SECs requesting comments on the proposed ARES Strategic Plan. The email has been drafted by the PSEWG and, at the moment, is likely to go out over the signature line of Steve Ewald, although a final decision on that is pending. 73, Barry J. Shelley, N1VXY Chief Executive Officer ARRL, Inc. The national association for Amateur Radio (860) 594-0212 www.arrl.org -------------------------------------------------- Dear Section Managers and Section Emergency Coordinators, Created in 1935, ARES has undergone very few changes over the years, while the agencies ARES serves have undergone many. For approximately two years the ARRL Public Service Enhancement Working Group (PSEWG) has evaluated the ARES program and drafted several enhancements to move ARES into the 21st Century. The advanced copy of the new ARES Strategic Plan you recently received introduces new changes and a platform for future growth. For many, this is a major paradigm shift, for others, it formalizes many of the requirements they have employed routinely for several years. This proposed plan has been reviewed by an independent team of individuals experienced in ARES and emergency work from across the US. Their suggestions and recommendations were carefully considered, and many were included in the plan during its development. The ARRL Board of Directors wants SMs and SECs to have the opportunity to offer comments on the recommended changes prior to implementation of the plan. You may view the ARES Strategic Plan online at http://www.arrl.org/files/file/Media%20&%20PR/ARES/ARES%20Strategic%20Plan%20-%20final%20-%20PSC.pdf<https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.arrl.org/files/file/Media%2520%26%2520PR/ARES/ARES%2520Strategic%2520Plan%2520-%2520final%2520-%2520PSC.pdf&sa=D&ust=1533653590208000&usg=AFQjCNH2v91D3OSbklOqZO54m_rBm5Javg> The attached PDF copy is for your reference in developing any response you choose to offer. As there is the potential for responses from 140 or more individuals to be reviewed, we ask those making comments to follow these considerations: 1. Please be concise and to-the-point in your responses. 2. Bear in mind that each member of the working group has been sincere and dedicated to the redesign of ARES, so please be respectful in your responses. 3. The framework of ARES must remain as close to universal as possible, even with the recognition that some geographical areas may require certain specific training that others do not need. 4. The understanding that specific agency agreements and needs must be honored. 5. Mutual aid pacts may require training specific to adjacent jurisdictions. 6. If you have a concern about a new policy, be prepared to offer an alternate. 7. Please note the last sentence on page 6 offers each SM an alternate for any ARES participant who has limited or no access to courses ICS 300 and 400. 8. Please use the online form<http://bit.ly/2v9Idgj> to submit comments.